Chapter 504 - 282: It’s So Hard to Keep Smiling
Feng Yi accompanied Yun Zhao for the midday meal, and was then led away by Meng Jiuchang.
When she woke from her afternoon rest, Feng Yunjin arrived.
She had Feng Yunjin shown in, and the two of them sat down to speak.
Feng Yunjin looked at Yun Zhao, appearing hesitant to speak. Yun Zhao smiled. "What is it? You came all this way. Is there something you feel you can’t say?"
Feng Yunjin smiled as well. "It’s not that I can’t say it, but I don’t know how to begin."
"Then just say it plainly," Song Yunzhao said.
"You’re right." Feng Yunjin sighed. "I’ve come about Wang Zhaorong."
’Wang Zhaorong?’
It took Song Yunzhao a moment to compose herself and recall that Wang Zhaorong was the former Princess Consort Zhuang. "Wang Zhaorong is keeping to herself these days," she said. "What could possibly be the matter?"
After the Wang Family’s downfall, Wang Zhaorong had pleaded with the Emperor for leniency, but to no avail. Since her demotion to Zhaorong, she hadn’t been seen in public.
"Now there are rumors saying that with the Wang Family having committed such a grave offense, the Emperor’s punishment for Wang Zhaorong was too light. They say she should have been sent to the Cold Palace at the very least."
Song Yunzhao was taken aback. "When did these rumors start?"
"Just in the last couple of days. I didn’t pay it any mind at first, but the more I thought about it today, the more something felt off. That’s why I came to consult you, Zhaoyi," Feng Yunjin said with a frown.
"What are your thoughts on this?" Song Yunzhao asked in return.
"While a part of me feels that a demotion from her high rank to Zhaorong is indeed too light, I also have to consider that Wang Zhaorong has been a concubine since the Emperor’s ascension. After all these years of attending to him, even if she has no great merits, she has certainly worked hard. If the Emperor were to disregard their past affections and send her directly to the Cold Palace, that would be what’s truly disheartening. The harem isn’t like the court. We should all be grateful to have such a merciful sovereign."
’Who can go through life without ever running into trouble? It’s only when you find yourself in that position that you realize how precious the Emperor’s leniency truly is.’
"That’s true," Song Yunzhao said with a cold laugh. "Unfortunately, some people don’t see it that way. They only want to exploit this situation to get what they want."
’After such a major incident, the former Princess Consort Zhuang was only demoted to Zhaorong. Was Yun Zhao satisfied with that?’
’Of course not.’
’But she knew that as the Emperor, Feng Yi had his reasons. The Wang Family had handed over their entire fortune to atone for Wang Xuanfan’s crimes, including the dowries of both Mrs. Wang and her daughter-in-law. When compared to the Cao Family, the contrast was stark.’
’Perhaps Feng Yi hadn’t initially intended to be lenient with Wang Xuanfan. But with the Cao Family serving as a contrast, he had to make a decision that would show everyone, both within the court and without, the difference in outcomes between active atonement and passive resistance.’
’Wang Xuanfan’s life was spared and the rest of the Wang Family was not implicated. In contrast, Cao Dingwen was executed and the Cao Family was exiled. The comparison was brutal. In the future, when others commit similar crimes, how do you think they will choose to act?’
’The Emperor needed to set a precedent.’
’Therefore, Yun Zhao understood that Wang Zhaorong’s punishment was just one part of this larger strategy, and so she held no dissatisfaction.’
’So what if Wang Yunyi went from being Princess Consort Zhuang to Zhaorong? And so what if the rank of Zhaorong wasn’t exactly low?’
’Without the Wang Family to back her, without the Emperor’s favor, and dragged down by her maiden family’s disgrace, it would be nearly impossible for Wang Yunyi to stir up any trouble in the palace.’
’Her title of Zhaorong was merely a banner raised by the Emperor—all for show and of no practical use.’
’Even so, someone in the harem still wanted to use Wang Yunyi as a stepping stone, determined to climb higher by treading on her bones.’
’Song Yunzhao and Wang Zhaorong were rivals, but even she couldn’t help but feel a chill at this.’
"Do you know where the rumors first originated?" Song Yunzhao asked, looking at Feng Yunjin.
Feng Yunjin shook her head. "That’s precisely why I’m so unsettled. I couldn’t trace the source."
The traveling palace couldn’t be compared to the main harem, of course. Back there, everyone understood the networks and connections, so investigating rumors wasn’t difficult.
But the staff here at the traveling palace was a completely different group from the one in the main harem, which made things much less convenient.
Song Yunzhao frowned and looked at Feng Yunjin. "It seems someone is trying to fish in troubled waters." She paused for a moment. "How has Qin Wan Yi been lately?"
’I haven’t paid attention to the protagonist in a while.’
"After Grand Tutor Qin retired to his hometown, Qin Wan Yi kept to herself for a long time. Recently, however, she’s been coming out more often to enjoy the cool air and has even been joining others for scenic viewings and leisure," Feng Yunjin reported. "Zhaoyi, are you suspecting Qin Wan Yi?"
’The protagonist lives up to her name. She’s as resilient as a cockroach.’
’Song Yunzhao had to hand it to her.’
"Not necessarily," Song Yunzhao said, looking at Feng Yunjin. "I just feel that among the people here in the palace, only a few are in a position to make such a move. Those with no grudge against Wang Zhaorong would have no reason to target her. And as for those who do have a grudge against her..."
Her words trailed off. ’Speaking of people who have a grudge against Wang Yunyi and want revenge,’ she thought, ’aren’t I at the top of that list?’
Feng Yunjin met Song Yunzhao’s gaze and suddenly realized the same thing. Her expression shifted slightly. "I’m afraid this is aimed at you, Zhaoyi."
Song Yunzhao was speechless.
’It’s so hard to keep a smile on my face.’
’What’s to be done in a situation like this?’
’I can’t just sit back and take it!’
’Wouldn’t that be giving my enemies exactly what they want?’
Song Yunzhao decided to do the exact opposite of what was expected. She looked at Feng Yunjin and said, "I want you to pay a visit to Wang Zhaorong. Relay a message for me: just say I’m inviting her over for tea."
Feng Yunjin was stunned. "Zhaoyi, you intend to...?"
"The mastermind behind this wants to watch me fight with Wang Zhaorong so they can reap the rewards. Why should I let them have their way? Given Wang Zhaorong’s current situation, what benefit is there for me in crushing her? But what if I pull her over to my side instead?"
Feng Yunjin’s face twitched. ’Wouldn’t the mastermind behind this just die from fury?’
’It was a brilliant move on Song Zhaoyi’s part, but not something an ordinary person could pull off.’
’Not everyone can bury the hatchet and coexist peacefully with a former enemy.’
’Then again, thinking of Lu Zhixue... maybe it wasn’t so impossible with Wang Zhaorong either.’
"I’ll go right now." Feng Yunjin stood up immediately. She knew that Yun Zhao was sending her personally as a gesture of sincerity toward Wang Zhaorong.
’Song Yunzhao tried her best not to get angry. The only ones capable of such disgusting, petty tricks were the protagonist and the Empress Dowager. No matter which one it was, Yun Zhao was determined to make them suffer a proper setback this time.’
’They want to see me fight Wang Yunyi, do they?’
’Well, I refuse. I’m going to befriend her instead and watch those schemers choke on their fury!’
At that moment, Feng Yunjin was being told to leave. She looked at Wang Zhaorong and said in a low voice, "Sister Zhaorong, you must have heard the rumors circulating outside. Since others want to use you as a stepping stone to climb higher, are you really willing to let them succeed?"
Wang Yunyi was about to explode with rage. ’So what if I know?’
’A tiger away from the mountain is bullied by dogs!’
’With the fall of the Wang Family, even though I’m still a Zhaorong, the title is meaningless in this palace.’
’That’s why people no longer respect me. They’ll step on me whenever they please.’
’But right now, not only can I not fight back, I have to grit my teeth and endure it. I’m afraid that if I anger the Emperor, I won’t even be able to hold on to my rank of Zhaorong. How would I survive in this palace then?’
Seeing the look on Wang Zhaorong’s face, Feng Yunjin knew she had struck a chord. She pressed on, "Sister Zhaorong, Song Zhaoyi sincerely sent me to invite you. Just look at Lu Pin. She was once on very bad terms with the Zhaoyi, but now they get along quite well."
’Lu Zhixue?’
Wang Yunyi hesitated. That was, indeed, a perfect living example.